Tag: Stencil

Thursday doors

Door 36

I missed my first Thursday doors last week since I began 37 weeks ago. Just a little too much on my plate.

This week I was sifting through my archives when I found this door, which I have been looking for for a long time. I knew I had it, but I just didn’t know where.

Door, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2016
Door, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2016

The door in question, Number 5, has undergone many facelifts over the last few years of which I think this was the best. Currently it is free from graffiti and I think the owner is trying to keep the door and walls clean. It will be an uphill struggle, but I genuinely wish them luck. I don’t much favour graffiti on private property.

I think the owner at the time might have painted these pineapples as a way of discouraging graffiti, and it certainly worked for a while. Some (many) taggers have no respect though. The pineapples made me smile though. I am glad I found them again.

by Scooj

More doors at: Thursday Doors – Norm 2.0

 

 

 

 

1469. Upfest 2017 (168)

I think the prize for the busiest artists of Upfest 2017 goes to Pahnl who were not only the featured Festival artists for the year, but who also painted two walls with their intricate stencil work.

Pahnl, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Pahnl, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Actually, it was some days after the festival that they finally managed to finish this wall, but it was worth the wait. Their style of work has the look and feel of corporate identy and logos, with ‘toilet door man’ setting about various tasks and activities.

Pahnl, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Pahnl, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The partnership certainly produced something out of the ordinary with their work, unlike anything else at the festival. there is more about this duo from Birmingham on their fine website.

1457. St Werburghs tunnel (20)

Well here is a piece by an artist I haven’t seen in an absolute age. It is a stencil of a street character by Hoax. I’m not sure if he hasn’t been doing much street art for a while or if I just haven’t been where he usually sprays. Whatever, it is really great to see a new piece by him.

Hoax, St Werburghs tunnel, Bristol, April 2018
Hoax, St Werburghs tunnel, Bristol, April 2018

Unfortunately, the piece is quite high on the entrance to the tunnel in St Werburghs (which must have been a challenge to work on) and the light is reflecting off the brickwork, making it a bit difficult to appreciate the detail of the stencil, such as the check pattern on the shirt. This is a nice piece from Hoax…looking forward to seeing more.

1451. The Bearpit (138)

I bee W is an artist I admire very much. I first met him at Upfest 2016, and knew of his work before that, but this is the first time I have written about him, which surely can’t be right. His intricate stencils are often set on reasonably plain backgrounds, which brings out the central subject.

I bee W, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2018
I bee W, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2018

This ‘pigs might fly’ piece was created during the Spring paint jam in The Bearpit and I think carries a message, but I am not entirely sure whether it is connected to the clampdown on graffiti in The Bearpit or not.

I bee W, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2018
I bee W, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2018

It is a nice composition and contrasts well with the surrounding graffiti, helping it to stand out. It is like a gallery piece, and I like that.

1419. Shoreditch, London (5)

The first time I saw work by Unify was when my wife had spotted a piece in Cotham, Bristol next to a Nick Walker ‘Vandal’ piece on the wall of the Highbury Vaults. At that time I had no idea the artist was based in London. How much I wish he would return to Bristol and leave us some of his spectacular stencil pieces.

Unify, Shoreditch, London, February 2018
Unify, Shoreditch, London, February 2018

His pieces tend to be quite small, and often in a portrait orientation…maybe it is the way he likes to cut his stencils. I love this teddy with a balloon composed of ‘unify’ tags, something a little sad and also happy occurring. Another thing about tjhis artist is his eye for selectingh great walls. This one is pretty much perfect.

1417. The Bearpit (129)

I recently found out, from reading an interview with John D’oh, that he tends to create these single layer political stencils for places like The Bearpit, where their lifespan may at times be only a day or two. His more complex multi-layered work is reserved for walls where longevity is more likely…an utterly understandable position.

John D'oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018
John D’oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018

This piece is highly critical of Theresa May and the growing problem of homelessness and rough sleeping that is plaguing towns and cities across the UK. I really like the work he does and the way he uses his art to express political ideas. Much of his artwork tends to encourage ‘embellishment’ from passers by, and this one is no exception. The ‘cock and balls’ motif being put to good use.

Keep it going John D’oh.

1376. Dean Lane skate park (113)

I am doing another trawl through my archives and pulling out artworks that I think are worthy of posting, but for one reason or another got left behind. This piece by Drew Copus from 2016 features a naked woman (quite an unusual sight in Bristol street art) covered in his trademark insects.

Drew Copus, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016
Drew Copus, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016

This is a fine stencil piece which is slightly worn down by skateboard traffic. Right next to the piece, you can see the last three letters of ‘seismic’ which is the work of Jee See, and these two have collaborated in Dean Lane skate park more recently. I am rather fond of this piece – edgy and urban.

1337. The Bearpit (120)

Situated at the end of one of The Bearpit tunnels is a nice wall, which recently has been a bit of a mess. Because of this, it is easy to miss this small piece in one corner of the wall. It is a rather nice stencil of a panda carrying a boogie box (does that date me?) on his shoulder by Bristol-based artist J. West.

J. West, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018
J. West, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018

I have not seen an awful lot of his work on the streets, but what little I have seen I like. I have said it many times before, but it is so worth keeping your eyes open and seeing what is around you…you never know you might just come across a boogie box panda.

J. West, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2017
J. West, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2017

1330. M32 Spot (13)

I took a rather more extensive walk than I usually do around the M32 Spot recently, and found some walls and artwork I have not been aware of before, which goes to show that it is always worth looking round that next corner or through that next underpass.

Kin Dose, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Kin Dose, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

This is a lovely stencil piece from Kin Dose, whose work occasionally appears on the  streets of  Bristol and never fails to grab your attention. His owl is on one of the columns under the M32, and probably goes unnoticed by many who are marching head down crossing from one side of the motorway to the other.

Kin Dose, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Kin Dose, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

Other amazing work by Kin Dose includes a scary clown and cat, both of which were painted at the Carriageworks in Stokes Croft.

Dose, Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016
Dose, Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016
Dose?, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2016
Dose?, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2016

1296. Upfest 2017 (130)

John.Dot.S comes from Romania and sprays these figures dressed in aluminium. Often he includes an environmental theme, or encourages the viewer to see the piece and live in the moment. CCTV cameras are a popular motif or emblem for street artists and often represents a healthy dislike of overbearing societies, of ‘big brother’ states.

John.Dot.S, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
John.Dot.S, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This is a beautifully executed work which I believe is a stencil in greyscale. It is rekarkable how many greyscale pieces there were at this year’s festival. A fine fine piece from an artist I have not seen before. It would be good to see a return visit from him this year.